La Dee-vina Comedia

Makes me wonder...has Smith been picked to be an attacking player or to use his defensive experience in an effort to curb Weitering's influence?

If we think the situation with us is "bad" because of uncertainty or the change in interpretation which is leading to "the boys being tentative", wouldn't it be the same for every other club? At least we are apparently doing something about it. Are the other clubs?

This will definitely end in tears. I'm just not sure whose.

If the two clubs wanted to be serious about it, it would be something named after Ron Barassi

I don't know if it's enough, but McDonald and Schache both have an advantage over Brown and van Rooyen in that they can be played in defence. While Petty is missing that might give them an edge in selection decisions.

I appreciate your point and I know if he were my son I'd want him to stop playing. However, mental health is a complex matter. His self-respect may be tied intrinsically to his professional career. Perhaps he may be worse off not playing as it might be the one thing that he loves? I hope he is getting the best medical advice, not just about the physical effects of concussion but the consequences on his current and future mental health whatever decision he makes.

Perhaps the AFL did. Who would know, other than the player himself.

Melbourne hadn't won a Premiership for over 50 years

I've been living in a metaphorical cave and have not seen the Cerra incident. My comments are not about the merits of the decision. However, there is something wrong with the system if there have been something like 20 appeals of MRO decisions this year in less than half a season of football. It suggests that clubs, coaches and players are unsure of what is allowed and what isn't. I believe Gil McLachlan has been good for the game overall. However, he will be leaving the competition at a time when there is too much unhappiness with the game itself. I suspect it boils down to poor in house administration as seen by the protracted process to appoint Gil's replacement and, probably as a consequence, Brad Scott's replacement. I suspect, though, that Gil's not the problem. The blame for failing to appoint a CEO in a timely manner leading to so much uncertainty must be laid at the feet of the Chairman, Richard Goyder. He had a responsibility to make sure Gil's departure was smooth and the transition to a new CEO seamless. He's clearly failed at what is essentially his number one responsibility.

I didn't realise that Steven May was playing for Werribee.

I've read this four times. I might be misunderstanding your point, but don't these two statements contradict each other?

And if they happen twice you become a Saint. Not sure why becoming a St Kilda player is considered so highly, though.

So did I. In fact, I was surprised to read that he only had 8 disposals.

I think you'll find that's the AFL Rules Department's Mission Statement

Thanks, BBB. By the way, I'm curious about your name. Is it deliberate or is the "Bnag" a typo?

Kick ins from behinds scored by the opposition count as disposals, don't they? In which case, May's 8 possessions may include some of these statistical gifts.

The second and third lines seem a touch contradictory.

Sigh...

Great stuff WCW, although according to some, by posting on here you might be compromising the "sport and politics shouldn't mix" issue.

At least subs this year are virtually guaranteed game time. Under the Medical Sub rules, that wasn't always the case. Having said that, I'm not in favour of a player's first game being as a sub, although I agree that any young player may be delighted.

You're saying it's possible that Hardwick could end up at Essendon? If that's the case, surely possible he could end up at any other club, ours included.

I was surprised when I saw it was Harmes in rather than Jordon. However, upon reflection, I wonder whether the Match Committee was worried about the relative inexperience of Sparrow and Jordon compared with the combined experience of what we lose with Oliver and Hunter both being out. Especially given the continued inclusion (which I am not criticising) of McVee, van Rooyen and Bowey. It's a fascinating watch this weekend to see how we line up. We have selected 8 potential defenders (Brayshaw, Salem, Rivers, Bowey, McVee, Lever, May and Hibberd) so who out of that lot plays midfield, wing or somewhere else?

Me too. Took me a while. It's also highly distasteful if you think it through. (Hint: Did Essendon really kill Hardwick?)

I've seen one poster on this thread state that Woewodin will debut with no attribution to anyone or anything official. I've then seen other posters say that he's playing but don't know whether they're basing that on the statement in that post or whether something has been announced. So, simple question: Has the club stated anywhere that Woewodin will be playing?

I wonder if there were two versions? It's usually pre-recorded. The one that was shown on Nine's main channel in Melbourne addressed the Hardwick resignation and may well have been live (at least, the bit about Hardwick). I suspect an alternative version, recorded before the Hardwick resignation news broke, may have been broadcast in other markets.